Tulsi Gabbard’s path to becoming President Trump’s pick for director of national intelligence is anything but ordinary. Her journey spans from a childhood in a secretive offshoot of the Hare Krishna movement to a political career that’s zigzagged across the ideological spectrum.

When she first entered Congress in 2013, Gabbard was hailed as a rising star of the political left. But her relationship with the Democratic Party soured after she broke ranks on key policies and clashed with Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential race.

Now, at 43, Gabbard is poised to oversee the nation’s 18 spy agencies—a role that has raised eyebrows across the political aisle. Her confirmation hearing is likely to focus on some of her more controversial moves, like her 2017 trip to Syria to meet with dictator Bashar al-Assad and her past statements echoing Russian misinformation about Ukraine.

Critics also point to her lack of direct experience in intelligence work. But Gabbard has defended her positions, particularly her opposition to U.S. involvement in "regime change wars," a stance she shares with President Trump.

Her childhood in Hawaii, shaped by the Science of Identity Foundation—a group opposed to same-sex relationships and skeptical of Islam—has also sparked debate. Some wonder if her early life influenced her policy decisions, while others attribute her shifting views to her military service in Iraq or pure political ambition.

One thing’s clear: Gabbard’s nomination has set off alarm bells among national security experts from both parties. Even Trump himself has reportedly expressed concerns about her confirmation.

As the Senate prepares to grill her this week, all eyes will be on whether Gabbard can navigate the scrutiny and secure her place in Trump’s cabinet.